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This innovative reforestation project transforms degraded land in Kenya into smallholder-managed micro-forests. Partnering with over 25,000 farmers across Kilifi, Kwale and Nyandarua counties, the Komaza Smallholder Farmer Forestry project provides seedlings, training and full support to rural households—without requiring any upfront investment.
By the end of its 30-year lifespan, the project aims to establish over 45,000 hectares of tree plantations, with projected emissions removals surpassing 6.3 million tonnes of CO₂. Trees are grown using climate-resilient species suited to Kenya’s drylands, including Eucalyptus grandis × urophylla and Melia volkensii. At harvest, Komaza purchases the timber and pays farmers fairly based on yield, creating a sustainable income stream while restoring degraded ecosystems.
The project has earned dual certification under Verra’s VCS and CCB (Gold Level), recognising its contributions to climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, and rural livelihoods.
VCS2623
Project Registered
Kilifi, Kwale and Nyandarua counties, Kenya
45316 Hectares
ARR (Afforestation, Regeneration, Revegetation)
286630 tCO₂e
2017 – 2047
Inclusive tree farming model, direct farmer payments, rural job creation, biodiversity and land restoration
The project has a strong commitment to environmental and sustainable development that benefit local communities through the following contributions:
Environment
By restoring underutilised land into productive micro-forests, the project reduces pressure on Kenya’s remaining natural forests and promotes sustainable land use in vulnerable dryland regions. The planted trees contribute to soil regeneration, erosion control, and improved water retention. Conservation corridors are integrated into the planting model, and careful site screening ensures that no natural forests or ecologically sensitive areas are converted. As a result, the project not only sequesters carbon but enhances biodiversity and soil health across thousands of hectares.
Community
The project’s partnership model empowers over 25,000 smallholder farmers—50% of whom are women—with training, seedlings, and long-term support. All upfront costs are covered by Komaza, and farmers are paid via mobile money upon harvest, providing an inclusive path to financial resilience. The initiative also supports more than 300 local jobs through its network of field technicians and nursery staff. Beyond income generation, the project improves land tenure security, agricultural knowledge, and access to resources—especially for marginalised groups and women-headed households.
Climate Action
Over its 30-year crediting period, the project is expected to remove over 6.3 million tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere. It achieves this by converting degraded, low-productivity farmland into actively managed tree plantations that absorb carbon throughout the full growth cycle. Verified under VCS methodology AR-AMS0007, the removals are monitored through remote sensing, field sampling, and third-party audits. As a scalable model, Komaza’s approach provides a replicable blueprint for nature-based climate solutions that also deliver long-term community and biodiversity benefits.
GOAL 1 – No Poverty
GOAL 5 – Gender Equality
GOAL 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
GOAL 2 – Zero Hunge
GOAL 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
GOAL 13 – Climate Action
GOAL 4 – Quality Education
GOAL 10 – Reduced Inequalities
One Tribe enables businesses to be more sustainable by funding rainforest protection projects that store carbon from being released into the atmosphere. By enabling customers to protect rainforest when they shop online we also empowers consumers to drive positive change
One Tribe is a Climate Action Platform enabling businesses and their customers to make a positive environmental impact.
Eric currently works as an independent consultant at the intersection of nature and climate, focused on catalysing market and non-market solutions to drive the just transition.
He previously was Head of Product at Earthshot Labs, supporting nature conservation and restoration projects across the global south secure project finance. Prior to Earthshot Labs, Eric led nature-based carbon project development for Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique and founded the Carbon Cooperative, a global alliance of leading nature conservation and restoration practitioners exploring carbon finance. After serving in the Peace Corps in Mozambique out of university, he spent much of his 20s working in community-based conservation and ecosystem restoration efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa interspersed with two startup ventures as co-founder and CEO of a mental health tech startup and COO of a sustainable coffee company. Eric has a dual Masters in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Policy from Stanford University where he was a NSF Graduate Research Fellow and a BS in Environmental Engineering from Tufts University.
Alan is a risk management thought-leader, superconnector, and FinTech pioneer. His mission is to enable an Earth Positive economy which includes nature in global accounting systems.
Alan is Founder of Generation Blue, a venture studio dedicated to planetary game changers powered by exponential technologies. Previously, Alan established Natural Capital Markets at Lykke AG, pioneering blockchain based forestry and carbon backed tokens. Alan has over two decades of risk management experience advising global financial institutions, and was a founding member of the RiskMetrics Group, a JPMorgan spin-off. Alan is an investor and advisor to regenerative impact ventures, including TreeBuddy.Earth, Regenativ, and Vlinder Climate.
Lori Whitecalf made history when she became the first woman to be elected Chief of Sweetgrass First Nation in 2011. She served three terms of office from 2011-2017.
Lori took a two-year hiatus from leadership to expand the family ranch and serve as the FSIN Senior Industry Liaison. She was re-elected on November 29. 2019 and again on November 30, 2021, as Chief of Sweetgrass. Chief Whitecalf practises a traditional lifestyle of hunting, fishing and gathering. She currently sits on the following boards: Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, FSIN Lands and Resource Commission, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs Executive Council, FSIN Women’s Commission.
Tina is the Chief Business Officer for MLTC Industrial Investments, the Economic Development arm of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council. She has a diverse background of experience. Having spent 15 years as a municipal Chief Operating Officer, 20 years involved in Saskatchewan’s Health Authority Board Keewatin Yatthe and 9 years with Northern Lights Board of Education.
She continues as a Board Member with Beaver River Community Futures supporting small business development in her home region. Tina brings a wealth of experience in a variety of fields and many connections to the Indigenous communities of Northern Saskatchewan. In addition Tina holds a BA Advanced from the U of S, a Certificate in Local Government Authority from the U of R and is certified as a Professional Economic Developer for Saskatchewan and a certified Technician Aboriginal Economic Developer (TAED).
Tootoosis’ career spans 40+ years in HRM, political leadership, and Indigenous economic development, as a dedicated bridge builder and advocate for Indigenous causes.
As a key member of the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) team since 2021, he develops strategies for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report and Call to Action #92.
He is a graduate of the First Nations University of Canada and a certified Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer. Spearheading various community initiatives while serving as a Chair of the SIEDN while directing ILDII and WIBF. Founder of MGT Consulting Tootoosis is based in Saskatoon, Treaty Six Territory.
Cy Standing (Wakanya Najin in Dakota) has a long and distinguished career including serving overseas as an Electronics Technician in the Royal Canadian Air Force, former Chief of Wahpeton Dakota Nation, former Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations (FSIN), past Executive Director of Community Development Branch of the Department of Northern Saskatchewan as well as an Order in Council appointment to the Federal Parole Board.
Mr. Standing has served as a Director on many Profit and Non-Profit Corporate Boards, including serving as a Director for Affinity Credit Union with assets of over six billion dollars as well as IMI Brokerage and Wanuskewin and is currently a member of the One Tribe Indigenous Carbon Board.